Debt collection rules

Crunchcjw

Hi all, I'm looking for some friendly advice please.

I will try and explain as best as I can but if anyone has questions just let me know!

As a stupid 18 year old I had a catalogue which I used to pay monthly along with payday loans and store cards etc. I fell ill in 2011 and began to default on most of my debts while I was off work. Long story short after interest and charges I owed just under £10,000. In 2013 my health improved and I returned to work and slowly began clearing the debts.

In April last year a family friend offered to lend me the final amount of £1800 to clear the balance and I could pay them monthly (was a better option than paying 7 separate companies). I contacted each creditor negotiated amounts and paid them off. Finaly in April this year I was debt free, or so I thought!

I came home today to a letter from a solicitor firm asking if I lived at this address, I called them and asked what this was regarding. They reminded me that I had contacted them last year and made an offer of payment which they were now willing to accept. To settle my debts I did make reduced offers on most accounts and each one was negotiated and accepted, apart from this. I will be 100% honest I eventually forgot about this last one.

I had offered to pay a lump sum of £250 to clear the balance. As soon as I spoke to the rep today I remember speaking with this company. The solicitors company work on behalf of the company that own my debt. When I made the offer they had to check with the owner and come back to me. I chased them up twice and was told they will contact me when the owner came back to them. Eventually time passed I slept and forgot that I had never heard back.

The solicitors have explained today that in April this year the creditor agreed to accept the offer and asked could I pay it. This was over 12 months since I last heard anything. I will point out I know it's not a huge amount of money compared to what I've paid off and I'm aware I incurred the debt in the first instance but I just don't feel this is a fair way to deal with people. It's more about the principle than the amount. I was able to pay and now I'm not curently In a position to do this amount.

I have logged a complaint and am happy to wait for the outcome but just wondered where I stand and if any one has had a similar experience?

What I want to know is is this OK for a company to do. The solicitor company were great as i ws very upset (this was a reminder of part of my life I'd prefer to forget )and agreed they would log a complaint too as they haven't chased the debt owner as well

I'll update when I get the outcome of the complaint

Marktheshark

The debt become statute barred after 6 years from the last payment.
I bet they could not believe their luck.
You should have come here first.
We could have saved you the money.

Crunchcjw

Sorry I probably didn't make it clear in all that waffling, I haven't paid yet, I asked them to put the account on hold while looking at the complaint.

I might be wrong but I thought if I have acknowledged the debt in the last 6 years it won't be statue barred?

Marktheshark

Did you acknowledge it in writing ?

Crunchcjw

No but I've discussed it over the phone few times last year and today

Marktheshark

Check the dates, it might be statute barred and off your credit record.
If so paying is for vanity purposes only and not good MSE advice.

Crunchcjw

Thank you ill do some digging on dates tomorrow and see what I find